The Blog

Solo Travel, Written from Inside It

30+ articles, all written from a hut in Chalok, Koh Tao. No "top 10" lists. The thing I wish I'd been able to read before I came.

Three Magical Seahorse Encounters in Koh Tao Thailand

Seahorses are known to live in the waters around Koh Tao, but finding one feels like discovering a secret the ocean has been keeping. My first appeared while I was collecting trash in Shark Bay. The second became a tiny celebrity at Tanote Bay, with a story no one expected. Then, one morning in Shark Bay, they seemed to be everywhere. These are the stories of three magical and very different seahorse encounters.

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Magical Marine Life Encounters

Lion's Mane Jellyfish in Koh Tao: An Unforgettable Ocean Encounter

Lion’s Mane jellyfish have appeared around Koh Tao, Thailand. Here’s what we know about these unusual visitors and what it’s like to encounter one.

Aug 9, 2026 5 min read

Travel Stories

What Every Parent Should Know Before Their Young Adult Backpacks Southeast Asia

People like to say that once your children turn 18, your job as a parent is done. Anyone with a young adult knows that's not true. You stop making their decisions, but you never stop hoping they're safe, making good choices, and finding kind people along the way. I never imagined that traveling solo in my fifties would help me understand just how much those kind people matter.

Jul 15, 2026 5 min read

Solo Travel in Laos

The China-Laos Railway: Is First Class Worth It? My Honest Take

I rode the China-Laos railway twice in May, in both first class and second class, to settle one question for myself: is the upgrade actually worth it? Here is the honest answer, plus how I booked, what it cost, and the in-transit fiasco nobody warned me about.

May 31, 2026 4 min read

Solo Travel in Laos

Is Vang Vieng, Laos Safe? My Honest Solo Travel Experience

I arrived in Vang Vieng in the rain at a railway station ten minutes outside of town with no idea what to do next. Four newborn puppies, one cracked camera screen, a zombie-apocalypse night market, and a lot of karst mountains later, here is my honest take on this mysterious, beautiful party town.

May 24, 2026 8 min read

Solo Travel in Laos

Kuang Si Waterfalls: Worth Visiting in the Rain?

Everyone in Laos told me Kuang Si Falls was an absolute must. So I rode a scooter alone through a tropical storm to find out. Here is my honest take on the falls, the crowds, the bear rescue, and why the ride back to Luang Prabang ended up being the best part of the whole day.

May 21, 2026 6 min read

Solo Travel in Laos

Luang Prabang Solo Travel: My Honest 4-Day Take from Laos

I came to Luang Prabang for a Thailand visa run, not a discovery trip. Four days, one scooter, several rainstorms, and way too many Chinese tour buses later, here's my take on solo travel in Laos.

May 17, 2026 11 min read

Solo Travel in Laos

The Tak Bat Monk Procession in Luang Prabang: What I Wish I'd Known

200+ monks. 13 temples. One stubborn American woman in the rain at 5 a.m., walking 45 minutes in the wrong direction. Here's the practical guide I wish someone had handed me before my first morning in Luang Prabang.

May 17, 2026 5 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Dolphin Bay (Sam Roi Yot): The Slow-Paced Thai Beach Stop Almost No One Talks About

Wide-open beach, towering karsts, longtail boats, and barely any Western tourists, Dolphin Bay is where the pace finally changes on the road from Hua Hin to Chumphon.

Apr 23, 2026 2 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Hua Hin to Chumphon, Thailand: 4 Ways to Get There (and What Each One Costs)

Bus, train, private car, or motorbike? Here's exactly what each transport option from Hua Hin to Chumphon looks like, with real prices and what I'd choose next time.

Apr 23, 2026 3 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand: The Coastal Town That Surprised Me the Most

Quiet bay, one of Thailand's best night markets, almost no farang, and a 2-hour train ride to Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan is the hidden gem on the Hua Hin to Chumphon route.

Apr 23, 2026 4 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Phraya Nakhon Cave (Sam Roi Yot): Hike Logistics, Real Costs & What It's Actually Like

Boat or walk in? Crocs or proper shoes? Here's the no-fluff guide to hiking Phraya Nakhon Cave in Sam Roi Yot National Park, based on actually doing it.

Apr 23, 2026 2 min read

Everything Koh Tao

Is Koh Tao, Thailand, Safe for Solo Female Travelers? (Honest 2026 Perspective)

If you're thinking about coming to Koh Tao alone, safety is probably the first thing you Google. I get it. Before I ever moved here, I did the exact same thing , scrolling through articles, trying to

Feb 21, 2026 4 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Koh Tao Travel Consulting | Solo Travel Advice Thailand

If you've been researching Koh Tao and feeling slightly overwhelmed, I understand. This small island in the Gulf of Thailand is just 21 square kilometers, yet it has an outsized online presence. There

Feb 12, 2026 5 min read

Magical Marine Life Encounters

Koh Tao Sea Turtles in Shark Bay, Thailand

On the southern tip of Koh Tao lies Shark Bay , a crescent of turquoise water known for its resident sea turtles. It's one of the few places in Thailand where you can still swim alongside these wild c

Dec 15, 2025 6 min read

Solo Travel in Cambodia

Honeymoon in Koh Rong Sanloem: Cambodia's Hidden Island Paradise

Koh Rong Sanloem is a small island paradise in the Cambodian part of the Gulf of Thailand. Located 16 miles south of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong

Jul 15, 2024 6 min read

Everything Koh Tao

Unlocking the Secret Wisdom of Koh Tao

If you have visited Koh Tao or are lucky enough to stay here long-term, read on to learn the secret wisdom of Koh Tao.

Jun 24, 2024 2 min read

Thailand Islands and Beach Life

Islands in the Gulf of Thailand: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao

Here is everything you need to know about Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao to help plan your adventure!

Jun 5, 2024 8 min read

Other Destinations

Solo Travel in Cozumel, Mexico- The Good, Bad and THE Ugly

Are you planning to travel solo to Cozumel, Mexico but worried about the safety and cost of the island? This gal has spent a month in Cozume

May 2, 2024 9 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

2 Nights in Bangkok Thailand- The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide in 48 Hours or Less

Bangkok is the capital and most populous city in Thailand. Here are some suggestions if you only 2 nights in Bangkok Thailand.

Dec 25, 2022 8 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Buriram Province Thailand- A Guide to Life in Isan Country

Buriram Province Thailand is known as Isan country and is very rural with plenty to do for the solo traveler. Read on to find out more...

Dec 18, 2022 4 min read

Thailand Islands and Beach Life

Oh Koh Lanta! One of Thailand's Most Mysterious Islands

Koh Lanta is about 85 kilometers south of Krabi, just south of the Andaman Coast. There are 2 main ways to get to this tropical island. One is to take a ferry from neighboring destinations or by vehic

Dec 17, 2022 7 min read

Thailand Islands and Beach Life

Travel to Koh Yao Noi- Paradise Found in Thailand

About an hour away by speedboat from both Phuket and the Krabi, Koh Yao Noi is located in Phang Nga Bay. There is a larger sister island called Koh Yoa Yai to the south and I was surprised to learn th

Jul 15, 2022 2 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

The Magic of Railay Beach- Krabi, Thailand

Railay is a charming town in Thailand, nestled between Ao Nang and Krabi. Only accessible by boat and it is famous for its towering limestone cliffs. This small peninsula is a dream destination for ro

Apr 27, 2022 10 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Life Aboard a Liveaboard in Thailand Scuba Diving

A liveaboard is a scuba vessel with sleeping quarters, a place to eat, a briefing area, and a diving deck to prepare equipment. It is the best way to experience the remote dive sites in the Similan Is

Apr 7, 2022 6 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Nai Harn Phuket Thailand- Land of Ex Pats and Secret Portals

Nai Harn is a small, quaint beach town in the south of Phuket surrounded by amazing viewpoints and Buddhist temples. The water is warm and clear, and the sunsets are some of the best in Thailand. Ther

Apr 1, 2022 6 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Culture Shock- 48 hours in Patong Phuket Thailand

When I booked my trip, I wasn't sure where I should stay for the required 7 days at an SHA-approved hotel through the Sandbox Program (see my post about entry requirements for Thailand for more detail

Mar 24, 2022 5 min read

Leading Up to Solo Travel

The Journey to the Other Side of the World

On November 10th, 2021, I packed my bags, said goodbye to my family and friends, and headed to the airport. I had gone to REI the weekend before and bought a Cotopaxi medium-sized backpack, a smaller

Mar 23, 2022 4 min read

Leading Up to Solo Travel

So.... Why Thailand???

Thailand... It's literally the other side of the world from Boise, Idaho. I had been to Mexico many times and could get home in 8 hours if I needed. I also considered spending the winter in Belize or

Mar 17, 2022 2 min read

Leading Up to Solo Travel

The Fallout Before the Fall- Part 3~ Lessons in Humanity and Loss

In August 2021, I found myself without a job and still in the process of rebuilding my house. Despite these setbacks, I was struck with a newfound sense of Wanderlust after my trip to Honduras in May.

Jan 24, 2022 4 min read

Leading Up to Solo Travel

The Fallout before the Fall- Part 2~ The Flood

What led to my decision to come to Thailand and check out of my life as I knew it? In early June 2021, I returned from Honduras feeling refreshed and relaxed, excited to return to some sort of normal

Jan 23, 2022 5 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Elephants in Thailand

At a sanctuary, the elephants are not chained up, and there is no riding on them. Ask locals about which places are ethical and take good care of their elephants.

Jan 15, 2022 3 min read

Thailand Travel Tips

Learning Motor Bike Riding in Thailand: My Adventures and Tips

So should you rent a motorbike in Thailand? If you have a driver's license and know how to ride a bike, I say yes… or at least try it! If th

Jan 11, 2022 4 min read

Leading Up to Solo Travel

The Fallout Before the Fall- Part 1

January 1st, 2021. The worst was over, right? The orange guy was out of the office, toilet paper was back on the shelves, and things were starting to look up. My son had a terrible November and Decemb

Jan 6, 2022 3 min read

Leading Up to Solo Travel

The Going Solo Story- How 2020 Changed My Life

Queue March 2020... Of all the random things I worried about (nuclear war, plane crashes, cancer, 4 more years of the Trumpster), a worldwid

Dec 28, 2021 1 min read